Purely Accidental - Chapter 66
Chapter 66
What a brilliant move—harming the enemy a thousand while damaging yourself eight hundred.
What a masterful display of applying knowledge flexibly.
Pei Youshan was already so embarrassed she covered her face, too shy to look up.
Yet Xu Jingshu remained utterly composed, calmly locking eyes with the student in a silent showdown.
The two girls found this utterly, absolutely, unbelievably ridiculous.
Could anyone really be in such a "hurry" to grow up like this?
Wait—does anyone in this world actually describe their own appearance as "hastily put together"???
—This sister-like younger sister was truly a marvel.
The wild-haired girl hesitated before saying, "Then your looks... really were quite rushed..."
Xu Jingshu: "Not ugly. Presentable. That's enough."
Her definition of "presentable" mainly referred to being acceptable for Pei Youshan's eyes.
Everyone else fell outside Xu Jingshu's consideration.
Pei Youshan peeked up slightly, parting her fingers just enough to steal a glance at her.
Even from this angle, her beauty was flawless, enough to make one's heart skip a beat.
It's just... she could be so childish.
Wild-haired girl: "..."
Hearing such words from someone with a face rivaling a celebrity's felt suspiciously like humblebragging.
Xu Jingshu handed the drink to Pei Youshan, her sharp hawk-like gaze sweeping over the distance between the girl and Pei Youshan. Her icy, imperious aura made the girl retreat without a fight, instinctively taking a large step sideways to create a safe gap.
Xu Jingshu gave her another glance before speaking: "Can you leave now?"
"Don't interrupt me pursuing my jiejie."
In the past, the term "jiejie" had been part of their after-dark intimacy.
Now it had become Xu Jingshu's weapon to scare off young rivals.
Pei Youshan's expression twisted between amusement and embarrassment. She could only reach out, grasp Xu Jingshu's hand, and tug lightly—a silent plea not to traumatize the children.
The way "jiejie" rolled so naturally off Xu Jingshu's tongue instead sent chills down the girls' spines.
In their minds, they still struggled to accept that this mature, stunning woman was supposedly only a high school sophomore!
But seeing Pei Youshan's attitude toward Xu Jingshu, they couldn't exactly argue.
The wild-haired girl gave them a final look before offering Pei Youshan some friendly advice: "Jiejie, dating a minor is illegal."
Feeling the weight of Xu Jingshu's death glare, her survival instincts kicked in, and she hastily amended: "Of course, you can wait until she's of age! It's just a year or two anyway, right?"
"Wishing you happiness, bye!"
Pei Youshan watched with amusement as the two awkwardly scampered away, then turned back to Xu Jingshu beside her.
Xu Jingshu remained completely unruffled, as if she hadn't just sacrificed eight hundred points of dignity.
Caught between laughter and exasperation, Pei Youshan could only mutter two words: "Immature."
Xu Jingshu countered with perfect composure: "To deal with children, you must use childish methods."
This was a lesson she'd mastered while handling Xu Jingying.
Xu Jingying had been mischievous since childhood—if not kept in check, she'd immediately climb over her elder sister to assert dominance.
Pei Youshan found this even more amusing: "So you admit they're just kids?"
"Kids can still be rivals." Xu Jingshu slowly turned to her, righteous conviction in every word. "Mercy toward rivals is cruelty to oneself."
Pei Youshan nibbled her plastic straw: "?"
Was that how the saying went?
Regardless, Xu Jingshu had helped her fend off what seemed like a particularly persistent admirer. Common courtesy dictated she should thank Xu Jingshu—maybe offer her a drink to soothe her throat.
"Thanks. Here, have some water."
After speaking, she instinctively extended her drink, then froze. Realizing her mistake, she quickly moved to cover the straw: "Wait, this is the one I drank from—"
"It's fine."
Xu Jingshu caught her slender wrist, lowering her gaze to take a sip from Pei Youshan's hand. Behind those long, thick lashes seemed to hide boundless elegance—a beauty beyond compare.
"I've shared your water many times before."
During their cohabitation, they'd been inseparable, sharing drinks so frequently that distinguishing between yours and mine had long become unnecessary.
When Xu Jingshu looked up after drinking, she found Pei Youshan's face glowing peach-pink under the lights, as if embarrassed by some thought, accompanied by a soft murmur: "Xu Jingshu, what nonsense are you spouting now..."
After a brief contemplation, Xu Jingshu caught onto Pei Youshan's train of thought. Her fingers trailed slowly from the pale wrist up to Pei Youshan's slender fingers, brushing against them with tender suggestiveness as she spoke softly, laughter lacing her voice.
"Shanshan, I meant... the water in the cup."
Pei Youshan's face instantly burned hotter. Overcome with shame, she yanked her hand back, wishing she could unsay everything: "O-of course! That's obviously what I meant too!"
Xu Jingshu leaned closer, feigning innocence: "Then was I really spouting nonsense?"
Pei Youshan: "..."
Thanks to Xu Jingshu's framing, she now felt like some lecherous beast with a one-track mind.
She hastily changed topics: "Anyway, I should still thank you for handling that girl."
"Hmm?"
Pei Youshan avoided eye contact, clutching her cup tightly: "Her personality was a bit overwhelming, and she seemed pretty tenacious. If I'd come alone today, she might have pestered me for ages."
Xu Jingshu seized the opening: "So Shanshan should take me everywhere from now on. Then no one would dare bother you."
Pei Youshan understood her implication and couldn't suppress a soft laugh before deliberately adopting an affected tone: "President Xu makes it sound so easy. Are you really available every time?"
"Yes." Xu Jingshu answered with complete seriousness. "No matter when, if you need me, I'll be available."
Pei Youshan fell silent.
She remembered Xu Jingshu saying something similar before—that she'd come to her side whenever needed, no matter the distance.
It remained true now.
Her love had always been evident, unwavering from start to finish.
Pei Youshan didn't respond, sinking into quiet contemplation.
Truthfully, everything Xu Jingshu had done already outweighed that single mistake, more than earning a fresh start.
As long as she never deceived her again, never ever...
The crowd around them began stirring. Pei Youshan snapped back to reality, looking around to see the fireworks show was about to begin.
Just then, she heard Xu Jingshu murmur beside her: "Shanshan, I'm thirsty."
The intention couldn't be more transparent.
"..."
After two seconds of silence, Pei Youshan reluctantly extended her drink, muttering: "Don't read into it. The fireworks are starting—no time to buy another."
"And..."
"Thank you. I had a wonderful time today."
At this, Xu Jingshu slowly covered Pei Youshan's hand with her own: "Since Shanshan enjoyed it, may I have a reward?"
"What reward?"
Pei Youshan turned to her, once again reflected like starlight in those languid, tender eyes.
But this time, she also detected a glimmer of playful mischief within them.
Pei Youshan instinctively assumed she'd ask for reconciliation. Yet in the seconds before fireworks lit the sky, she instead heard a soft request:
"Just a goodnight kiss."
Pei Youshan froze.
Fireworks burst into the sky, instantly illuminating the night and brightening every pair of upturned eyes.
The dazzling lights swept across Xu Jingshu's fair complexion, crimson sparks dancing at the corners of her eyes. In that moment, she became the most radiant, breathtaking sight in Pei Youshan's world—outshining even the fireworks above.
Pei Youshan stared blankly, the whispered request still echoing in her ears.
Simpler than expected.
Yet more heart-fluttering than she could have imagined.
Suddenly, Pei Youshan realized how small her world had become—too small for fireworks, leaving room only for Xu Jingshu.
...
Xu Jingshu parked smoothly outside Biyun Garden.
Pei Youshan in the passenger seat remained lost in that mental image.
The affectionate gaze, stunning beauty, tender words, and perfectly measured request.
Each layer combined into a scene more captivating than any firework, making everything else feel superfluous.
"Shanshan."
The familiar, mature voice snapped Pei Youshan back to reality.
She blinked at the familiar buildings outside, for once feeling time had flown too fast—as if dawn would break in a blink.
Belatedly, she murmured: "Oh, we're here..."
The car's interior light bathed them in clarity, exposing every hidden thought.
Xu Jingshu had already considerately unfastened her seatbelt.
Pei Youshan met those nearby eyes, finding the word "goodnight" stuck in her throat.
Xu Jingshu leaned back, habitually stroking her hair: "Shanshan, see you tomorrow."
Pei Youshan lowered her gaze: "I have work tomorrow..."
Her tone sounded less like refusal and more like regret.
Xu Jingshu smoothly adjusted: "Then tomorrow night."
Pei Youshan thought for a moment: "I have an evening gathering."
Xu Jingshu smiled: "Message me when it ends. I'll take you for late-night snacks, okay?"
Pei Youshan turned to her, hearing the explanation: "You never eat much at parties. A proper supper would help."
Pei Youshan blinked, secretly pleased she remembered, but maintained her tsundere act: "Fine. I'll reluctantly grant you this supper privilege."
Xu Jingshu found this unbearably adorable.
Such a prickly, cute kitten—who could resist?
In the past, she'd have kept her in bed all night without release.
In good spirits, Pei Youshan bid "goodnight" and moved to leave.
Xu Jingshu swiftly caught her wrist: "Shanshan, forgetting something?"
Pei Youshan met her eyes and suddenly played dumb: "Did I promise anything?"
Xu Jingshu immediately switched tactics, clutching her hand pitifully: "Shanshan, to make you happy today, I stayed up until 1:30 AM planning everything..."
"..."
Defeated, Pei Youshan awkwardly leaned in to peck her cheek: "Goodnight."
Xu Jingshu wasn't done, smiling knowingly: "Shanshan, was this where our goodnight kisses used to land?"
Pei Youshan raised a brow.
Xu Jingshu doubled down on the pitiful act: "I only slept at 1:30 last night..."
Her fragile expression resembled delicate glasswork.
Pei Youshan stood no chance against this look.
Especially under warm lighting that amplified every hint of vulnerability, gradually eroding her resolve.
Completely surrendering, Pei Youshan turned off the interior light and met those soft lips by streetlamp glow.
Xu Jingshu's fingers gently tangled in her hair, holding her close as she deepened this hard-won kiss.
However long apart, their bodies remembered how to please each other—like muscle memory buried deep.
Love restrained for days now surged uncontrollably.
Breaths grew ragged; faint desire swelled between their tongues, no longer satisfied with mere kisses.
They craved closeness, intimacy—complete fusion beyond distinction.
But while one yearned to indulge, the other chose restraint.
Pei Youshan reined in her desires, pulling back to steady her breathing against Xu Jingshu's shoulders. Her eyes glistened like autumn ponds—irresistibly alluring.
Xu Jingshu's heart melted, kissing those damp eyes while her voice tempted: "Won't Shanshan invite me up for some water?"
Flushed but rational, Pei Youshan replied: "...No."
In their current state, "water" would be the last thing on the agenda!
Xu Jingshu would devour her alive!
Xu Jingshu pouted slightly, softening her voice: "Really not?"
A beautiful woman's pitiful look was always devastating.
Especially someone usually so aloof like Xu Jingshu—once she revealed vulnerability, resistance became impossible.
Pei Youshan decisively covered her mouth and eyes, solving the problem at its source while objectively noting: "Xu Jingshu, you've become far too skilled and brazen with this pitiful act."
She marveled—how had Xu Jingshu mastered this tactic without guidance?
Except when angry, Pei Youshan couldn't withstand this look.
Xu Jingshu's laughing eyes remained composed as she leisurely pulled Pei Youshan's hand down to toy with it, answering calmly: "Shanshan enables me, so I grow bold."
Only through being loved could one become fearless and unrestrained.
Love was the ultimate get-out-of-jail-free card in relationships.
"You—"
Pei Youshan couldn't muster a proper rebuttal.
Indeed, if she truly objected, Xu Jingshu would be powerless.
Fundamentally, she'd allowed hope to blossom in her heart.
Unable to counter, she turned to open the door: "I'm going home. Ignoring you now."
Like a haughty kitten.
"Goodnight Shanshan. Sweet dreams."
Xu Jingshu watched her walk away with a smile, equally content.
Tonight's gains made her all-night itinerary planning worthwhile.
Pei Youshan permitting embraces and kisses proved the anger had faded—she was gradually accepting "Xu Jingshu" again.
Pursuit required patience and proper pacing. Tonight's progress paved the way for future steps.
Until reconciliation. Until decades spent side by side.
Inside the elevator, Pei Youshan lamented her lack of resolve.
She'd resolved to make Xu Jingshu work harder—so how had they ended up kissing?!
—AAAAAH, PEI YOUSHAN YOU IDIOT!!!
Glancing at the dog keychain in her hand slowly calmed her.
Whatever.
Considering Xu Jingshu's efforts and pitiful state today.
This won't happen again! Absolutely not!
—She firmly vowed.
Another day of the cat battling her own tsundere instincts.
Another day of Xiao Jing teaching everyone how to woo their wives. Lesson learned?
Sigh... Love
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